The prevalence of obesity is increasing worldwide. In the past few decades, this unprecedented increase in obesity has spread across every age, gender and race. In the U.S. alone, the obesity levels have risen to as much as 68% and a similar trend is observed in other countries.See all stories on this topic

Statistics for 2013 show alarming figures for overweight and obese adults. According to the American Heart and Stroke Association for the year 2013 there were almost 155 million American adults over the age of 20 who were either overweight or obese. Weight problems are not only an issue for those in the US but for citizens of many countries all around the world (where food is plentiful). Perhaps more people should take action. Angela Stokes Monarch, a morbidly obese woman in her early twenties took much needed action by adopting the raw vegan diet.See all stories on this topic

Has the way that society, the media, and the way that people perceive themselves contributed to the way that obesity seems to be out of control? If we accepted ourselves for the individuals that we were meant to be, and did not spend all our efforts on being a shape that our bodies were not meant to be, then perhaps we would all be happer and healthier.See all stories on this topic

After randomization 5 participants did not undergo their surgical intervention. Of the 40 initiating intervention (22M/18F; age 51±10 years; BMI 36.5±3.7 kg/m2; diabetes duration 9±5 years; HbA1c 8.2±1.2%; 40% on insulin) the proportion meeting the primary glycemic endpoint was achieved in 33% of the LAGB group and 23% of IMWM (P=0.457). HbA1c reduction was similar between groups at both 3- and 12-months (-1.2±0.3 versus -1.0±0.3%, P=0.496). Weight loss was similar at 3- but greater 12-months post-LAGB (-13.5±1.7 versus -8.5±1.6 kg, P=0.027). Systolic blood pressure reductions were greater after IMWM than LAGB while changes in diastolic blood pressure, lipids, fitness, and cardiovascular risk scores were similar between groups. Patient reported health status assessed using Short Form-36, Impact of Weight on Quality of Life, and Problem Areas in Diabetes, all improved similarly between groups.
Conclusions:

LAGB versus a multidisciplinary intensive diabetes and weight management program have similar 1-year benefits on diabetes control, cardiometabolic risk, and patient satisfaction, which should be considered in context of other factors, such as personal preference, when selecting treatment options with obese type 2 diabetes patients. Longer duration studies are important to understand emergent differences.
Trial Registration:

Endoscopy Turns Eye To Fixing Problems After Weight Loss Surgery
PhiladelphiaâThe number of people undergoing bariatric surgery continues to climb, and although expertise and refinement in the procedures may …See all stories on this topic